#Raw Materials

2022-01-20

COTTON USA Mill Mastery® courses show how U.S. Cotton optimizes spinning mills

Nearly 100 mill participants in four countries have learned how using superior quality U.S. cotton optimizes their spinning mills, after completing the COTTON USA Mill Mastery® course. CCI’s in-depth COTTON USA Mill Mastery® course is an informative course of study designed to take global mills’ spinning skills to the next level. It’s led by the COTTON USA SOLUTIONS® Technical Team, with a combined experience of over 200 years. Illustrating its success, 97% of the participants have rated the courses as helpful for their day-to-day operations.

COTTON USA Mill Mastery® empowers spinning industry participants with industry-relevant knowledge of all aspects of U.S. cotton through 15 distinct modules, covering 24 different subjects. The topics start with the U.S. cotton field and cover all major steps of cotton yarn spinning, maintenance and auxiliary processes. Beyond technical knowledge, there are modules on cotton buying, the economics of spinning and profitability in yarn production.

The COTTON USA SOLUTIONS® Technical Team delivered courses in Bangladesh, India, Vietnam and Pakistan on fiber quality, fiber selection, profitability and bale management. The team also taught a course on cotton fiber trading and buying twice in Pakistan and in Bangladesh. The profitability module attracted a lot of attention, and the Technical Team presented it multiple times in each of the four different countries. After every course, an open-book exam provided an opportunity for participants to reflect on their learning.

The success of the courses is evident by the fact that 99% of participants confirmed that they are likely to recommend the courses to a colleague. The COTTON USA Mill Mastery® course awards a physical and digital certificate of completion (partnered with Credly). The sharing rate of issued digital credentials on social media was 75%, compared to an industry average of 47%.

COTTON USA Mill Mastery® courses are one of five offerings of COTTON USA SOLUTIONS®, a cotton consultancy created to take spinning mills to the next level of success. The programs provide unmatched expertise informed by work with over 1,500 mills in 50 countries. COTTON USA SOLUTIONS® programs are complimentary for COTTON USA™ licensees with a U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol® membership.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Cotton made in Africa partners receive top marks in independent verifications

Cotton made in Africa® (CmiA) and CmiA Organic are two internationally recognised standards that aim to promote sustainable development in the African cotton sector south of the Sahara. To ensure the standards’ credibility among brands, retailers, and consumers, independent verifiers evaluate compliance on the ground. The verification results for 2025, now published in the Aggregated Verification & Implementation Report, were very strong: The verifiers awarded consistently very good remarks regarding management, people, prosperity, and the environment.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Bremen Cotton Exchange: Fritz A. Grobien re-elected as President

The members of the Bremen Cotton Exchange have re-elected Fritz A. Grobien as President during the association’s 152nd General Assembly on June 18, 2026. The election confirms the organization’s commitment to maintaining its role as a leading international platform for the cotton and fiber industry amid a period of geopolitical and economic uncertainty.

Reju opens its first R&D Center in the U.S. in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania

Reju, the company specializing in textile regeneration, today announced the opening of a Research and Development (R&D) Center in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, the company's first proprietary research center in North America. Located within Technip Energies' existing Advanced Materials and Catalysts research center, the lab will allow Reju to accelerate the rollout of its recycling technologies and develop its next-generation circular solutions.

Itema reaffirms its commitment to the Syrian textile industry at NasTex 2026

From July 18th to 21st, Itema will exhibit at NasTex at the Damascus Fairground (Hall 11 – Stand C02), marking its return to one of the Middle East’s historically significant textile markets. Itema will showcase advanced weaving technology designed to support the competitiveness and technological evolution of Syrian manufacturers and announces a new partnership with Growfast Agency as the sole agent of Itema in Syria.

KARL MAYER's HKS 2-SE Expands Possibilities for Premium Stretch WARP KNITS

Warp knitted fabrics with a woven look are more in demand than ever in the fashion and apparel industries. Stretch WARP KNITS, in particular, impress with their freedom of movement, breathability, and virtually wrinkle-free wear – thereby opening up new style worlds such as smart casual or business casual. When it comes to the highly efficient production of premium-quality stretch WARP KNITS, the HKS 2-SE has long been the machine of choice. KARL MAYER’s best-selling tricot machine produces standard elastic fabrics characterized by high gauges, smooth, delicate surfaces, and a soft hand feel.